overhear

verb

over·​hear ˌō-vər-ˈhir How to pronounce overhear (audio)
overheard ˌō-vər-ˈhərd How to pronounce overhear (audio) ; overhearing ˌō-vər-ˈhir-iŋ How to pronounce overhear (audio)
Synonyms of overhearnext

transitive verb

: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention
overheard their conversation

intransitive verb

: to overhear something
went someplace where she couldn't overhear

Synonyms of overhear

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Examples of overhear in a Sentence

She overheard what her boss said to his secretary. I overheard a rumor about you. They were overheard discussing the project.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After weeks of overhearing the outbursts, O'Connor and his wife compiled their own top 10 list of Torn's most memorable lines. — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Rosa is kind and helpful, but Kaylee worries about disappointing Fraser, who overhears her ask for Rosa’s help. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026 With the festival’s first weekend coinciding with the Brazilian presidential elections, almost every conversation overheard at RioMarket during the event’s early days was intertwined with politics. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 Bottega Veneta That, or people whose conversations you’d really like to overhear. — Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overhear

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of overhear was in 1549

Rhymes for overhear

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Browse Nearby Words

overhead valve
overhear
overheat
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Cite this Entry

“Overhear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhear. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

overhear

verb
over·​hear ˌō-vər-ˈhi(ə)r How to pronounce overhear (audio)
overheard -ˈhərd How to pronounce overhear (audio) ; overhearing -ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ How to pronounce overhear (audio)
: to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention
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